5 dead an mob sets ablaze churches in Indonesian city - The Times of India

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Around 3,000 rioters in the eastern Indonesian city of
Situbondo torched more than two dozen Catholic institu-
tions, killing at least five people, in violence touched
off by rumours that the church was harbouring a contro-
versial Muslim leader, authorities said on Saturday.

The Jakarta Post linked the attack to the recent trial of
sect leader Saleh, who was accused of heresy for arguing
that Islam's Muhammad was not a prophet, contrary to
Muslim belief.

The state prosecutor called for a five-year prison sen-
tence for Saleh, but an angry crowd in the courtroom
demanded that he receive death penalty. Thereafter,,
rumours spread that Saleh had sought refuge in a Catholic
church, sparking the riots. According to reports, 27
buildings were set ablaze in the attack.

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